Garden Route Badgers vs Mpumalanga Rhinos, 13th Match

The upcoming 13th match of the CSA T20 Knock Out Competition 2025 between Garden Route Badgers and Mpumalanga Rhinos promises an intense contest. The Garden Route Badgers have shown consistent form in their recent matches, winning 3 of their last 5 games. Their middle order has been particularly reliable, with Jason Dwane and Lukasz Mokoena anchoring the innings well. The Rhinos, on the other hand, have had a slightly patchy run, winning 2 out of their last 5. However, their bowling attack led by Nthabiseng Sithole has been incisive, picking crucial wickets at the death. Head-to-head stats slightly favor the Badgers, who have defeated the Rhinos in 3 of the 5 previous encounters, including a recent victory in the group stage last season. The Rhinos are likely to focus on restricting the Badgers' strong batting lineup and leverage their pace arsenal against the Badgers’ top order. Strategically, the Badgers might aim to bat first given their tendency to post competitive totals at the Recreation Ground, which has supported batsmen. The Rhinos could counter by targeting early wickets to unsettle the opposition. Both teams will rely on their all-rounders to provide balance, making field placements and bowling changes crucial.

Garden Route Badgers: 57%, Mpumalanga Rhinos: 43%

If the Garden Route Badgers bat first on the Recreation Ground, which typically favors batsmen, they could aim for a total in the range of 165-175. Their stable middle order and power hitters like Jason Dwane boost their ability to accelerate in the death overs. Conversely, if the Mpumalanga Rhinos get to bat first, considering their slightly less consistent batting form, a par score of 150-160 is expected. However, the Rhinos' key hitters can push this higher if they get a strong start. The pitch is likely to maintain pace and bounce but won't significantly assist bowlers, setting the stage for a high-scoring encounter.

The Recreation Ground is known for its true bounce and generally batsman-friendly conditions. The average first-innings score in T20 matches here has hovered around 165 runs over the past two seasons. Teams batting first have won approximately 55% of the matches, indicating a balanced surface but slightly favoring the chase. The weather on match day is expected to be clear with mild winds and no rain interruptions, creating optimal conditions for cricket. For the Badgers, their best performer on this ground is Jason Dwane, who scored 72* in a memorable innings last season. The Rhinos’ Nthabiseng Sithole has the best bowling figures here with 4/23 in a recent game. This venue has also witnessed explosive batting performances, with a highest individual score of 89 for either side, reinforcing the importance of a solid batting display.

Total Matches	Garden Route Badgers Wins	Mpumalanga Rhinos Wins
5	3	2

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches Record
Garden Route Badgers	W-W-L-W-L
Mpumalanga Rhinos	L-W-L-L-W

Jason Dwane - The Badgers' top-order mainstay, Dwane has scored crucial runs recently, including a steady 58 and a quickfire 45, showcasing consistency and aggression.

Lukasz Mokoena - A reliable middle-order batsman, Mokoena has contributed pivotal innings, including a match-winning 50 in tough situations.

Thabo Khumalo - An all-rounder for the Badgers, Khumalo's recent form with both bat and ball makes him a key player, highlighted by a 3-wicket haul last match.

Nthabiseng Sithole - The spearhead of the Rhinos' bowling, Sithole has picked up 8 wickets in the last 3 games with strong death bowling skills.

Lebogang Mahlangu - Rhinos’ aggressive opening batsman with a 64 and 39 in recent outings who can give his team quick starts.

Simphiwe Zulu - An all-rounder known for his handy lower-order hitting and crucial breakthroughs with the ball; recently took 2 key wickets in the powerplay.